The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 14 new cases of Lassa fever, pushing the total number of infections recorded nationwide this year to 1,035 and raising fresh concerns over the persistent spread of the deadly viral disease.

The latest figures, contained in the agency’s epidemiological report for Week 33, showed that the newly confirmed infections were recorded between August 10 and August 16 in Ondo, Bauchi, Edo and Benue states.

The report revealed that the death toll has now risen to 252, with the case fatality rate increasing to 24.4 per cent. This marks a significant rise from the 18.6 per cent fatality rate recorded during the corresponding period in 2025, highlighting the growing severity of the outbreak.

According to the NCDC, the number of confirmed cases recorded in Week 33 represents a sharp increase from the four cases reported in Week 32, when only Ondo and Edo states recorded new infections.

The agency noted that by the end of Week 32, Nigeria had recorded 1,021 confirmed cases and 240 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 23.5 per cent. The latest figures indicate that the disease continues to claim lives despite ongoing surveillance and response efforts.

Health officials also pointed to fluctuations in the pattern of transmission. While Week 33 recorded 14 confirmed infections, Week 32 had seen a decline from the 17 cases reported in Week 31, suggesting that the outbreak remains unpredictable across affected communities.

Data from the report showed that Lassa fever has now been confirmed in 23 states and 117 local government areas across the country. However, the burden of the disease remains concentrated in a handful of states.

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Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue and Edo states accounted for 87 per cent of all confirmed infections recorded so far in 2026, underscoring their status as the nation’s major hotspots. The same states were responsible for 86 per cent of the cases reported in Week 32, indicating that transmission remains largely concentrated within these areas.

The NCDC further disclosed that individuals between the ages of 21 and 30 years continue to be the most affected demographic group, maintaining a trend observed in previous reporting periods.

In a positive development, the agency reported that no healthcare worker was infected during Weeks 32 and 33, a sign that infection prevention and control measures within health facilities may be yielding results.

Despite this, the NCDC warned that Lassa fever remains a major public health threat and pledged to sustain surveillance, case management and response activities in affected states as authorities work to curb further spread of the disease.

The agency also urged residents, particularly those in high-risk areas, to maintain proper hygiene practices, prevent contact with rodents and seek immediate medical attention when symptoms such as fever, weakness, headache and unexplained bleeding occur.